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Back in 1991, Dr. J. Andrew Armour, introduced the idea of the heart brain. He discovered that the heart has a sophisticated nervous system that is complex enough to allow the heart to be considered a little brain.Contained within this heart’s brain, are an intricate network of numerous neurons, neurotransmitters, proteins and other support cells just like the ones of the brain. This complex mechanism allows it to act independently of the cranial brain.The heart brain contains around 40,000 neurons, known as sensory neurites which monitor and detect the pumping action but that may not be all they do.

Listen to your heart!

Many believe that conscious awareness originates in the brain alone. Recent scientific research suggests that consciousness actually emerges from the brain and body acting together. A growing body of evidence suggests that the heart plays a particularly significant role in this process.

Research in the new discipline of neurocardiology shows that the heart is a sensory organ and a sophisticated center for receiving and processing information. The nervous system within the heart (or “heart brain”) enables it to learn, remember, and make functional decisions independent of the brain’s cerebral cortex. Moreover, numerous experiments have demonstrated that the signals the heart continuously sends to the brain influence the function of higher brain centers involved in perception, cognition, and emotional processing.

The heart also communicates information to the brain and throughout the body via electromagnetic field interactions. The heart generates the body’s most powerful and most extensive rhythmic electromagnetic field. Compared to the electromagnetic field produced by the brain, the electrical component of the heart’s field is about 60 times greater in amplitude, and permeates every cell in the body. The magnetic component is approximately 5000 times stronger than the brain’s magnetic field and can be detected several feet away from the body with sensitive magnetometers.

Basic research at the Institute of HeartMath shows that information pertaining to a person’s emotional state is also communicated throughout the body via the heart’s electromagnetic field. The rhythmic beating patterns of the heart change significantly as we experience different emotions. Negative emotions, such as anger or frustration, are associated with an erratic, disordered, incoherent pattern in the heart’s rhythms. In contrast, positive emotions, such as love or appreciation, are associated with a smooth, ordered, coherent pattern in the heart’s rhythmic activity. Experiments conducted at the Institute of HeartMath have found remarkable evidence that the heart’s electromagnetic field can transmit information between people. We have been able to measure an exchange of heart energy between individuals up to 5 feet apart. We have also found that one person’s brain waves can actually synchronize to another person’s heart.

More specifically, we have demonstrated that sustained positive emotions appear to give rise to a distinct mode of functioning, which we call psychophysiological coherence. At the physiological level, this mode is characterized by increased efficiency and harmony in the activity and interactions of the body’s systems. Psychologically, this mode is linked with a notable reduction in internal mental dialogue, reduced perceptions of stress, increased emotional balance, and enhanced mental clarity, intuitive discernment, and cognitive performance.

In sum, our research suggests that psychophysiological coherence is important in enhancing consciousness, both for the body’s sensory awareness of the information required to execute and coordinate physiological function, and also to optimize emotional stability, mental function, and intentional action.

Dareling will start with creative art groups as of February 2013. In these creative art groups, the focus will be on plastic arts, but we will also offer other activities to tickle the creative itch of each child.

Please contact us for more information through the contact form below, but first take some time to read the different skills and benefits children will gain through development of their artistic side.

Top 10 skills children learn from art

1. Creativity. Being able to think on your feet, approach tasks from different perspectives and think ‘outside of the box’ will distinguish your child from others. In an arts program, your child will be asked to recite a monologue in 6 different ways, create a painting that represents a memory, or compose a new rhythm to enhance a piece of music. If children have practice thinking creatively, it will come naturally to them now and in their future life.2. Confidence. The skills developed through art not only train you how to convincingly deliver a message, but also build the confidence you need to take command of a stage. Artistic training gives children practice stepping out of their comfort zone and allows them to make mistakes and learn from them. This process gives children the confidence to perform in front of large audiences.3. Problem Solving. Artistic creations are born through the solving of problems. How do I turn this clay into a sculpture? Without even realizing it kids that participate in the arts are consistently being challenged to solve problems. All this practice problem solving develops children’s skills in reasoning and understanding. This will help develop important problem-solving skills necessary for success in everything they ever undertake.

4. Perseverance. When a child picks up a paint brush for the first time, she/he knows that top level artwork right away is not an option; however, when that child practices, learns the skills and techniques and doesn’t give up, that artwork is that much closer. In an increasingly creative world it is essential that children learn to tap into their own creative force.

5. Focus. The ability to focus is a key skill developed through creative expression. Recent research has shown that participation in the arts improves children’s abilities to concentrate and focus in other aspects of their lives.

6. Non-Verbal Communication. Through experiences in fine and gross motor skills, children learn to breakdown the mechanics of their own body language. They experience different ways of moving and how those movements communicate different emotions.

7. Receiving Constructive Feedback. Receiving constructive feedback about a visual art piece is a regular part of any arts instruction. Children learn that feedback is part of learning and it is not something to be offended by or to be taken personally. It is something helpful. The goal is the improvement of skills and evaluation is incorporated at every step of the process. Each arts discipline has built in parameters to ensure that critique is a valuable experience and greatly contributes to the success of the final piece.

8. Collaboration. Most arts disciplines are collaborative in nature. Through the arts, children can practice working together, sharing responsibility, and compromising with others to accomplish a common goal. When a child takes part in a group artwork, they begin to understand that their contribution is necessary for the success of the group. Through these experiences children gain confidence and start to learn that their contributions have value even if they don’t have the biggest role.

9. Dedication. When kids get to practice following through with artistic endeavors that result in a finished product, they learn to associate dedication with a feeling of accomplishment. They practice developing healthy work habits of being on time for art class, respecting the contributions of others, and putting effort into the success of the final piece.

10. Accountability. When children practice creating something collaboratively they get used to the idea that their actions affect other people. They learn that when they are not prepared or on-time, that other people suffer. Through the arts, children also learn that it is important to admit that you made a mistake and take responsibility for it. Because mistakes are a regular part of the process of learning in the arts, children begin to see that mistakes happen. We acknowledge them, learn from them and move on.

Reblogged from blog.artusa.org.

Written by Lisa Phillips, posted on November 26th 2012.

(Editor’s Note: This piece was slightly adapted to show the benefits for children of the plastic arts. The full version of this post appears on Lisa’s website.)

For 75 guilders per month your child can learn to become a Dareling in their own time and at their own pace. Ask us for more details!

DARELING ART GROUP

This was a magical session. Normally these two boys fight eachother every chance they get. During the session one had to help the other. They learned how to play together, share and collaborate to make one project.

Something also worth mentioning is the difference in their play when they were working with natural and sturdy materials, instead of colored plastic (or worse.. a PSP).

'Sssssssssssssssssss...... ssssssssssssssssss''What is it? Are you playing a snake?''No, look''What? Say what you're thinking out loud, or other people will not understand it''It's in the form of an S'